F5-CTS-LTM BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager Practice Question
A company requires that traffic be load balanced based on server response time. The LTM must dynamically select the server that is currently responding the fastest. Which load balancing algorithm should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the 'Fastest' algorithm with 'Least Connections'. They fail to recognize that 'Fastest' specifically monitors response latency, which is the key requirement for dynamic performance-based load balancing.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Fastest
The 'Fastest' load balancing algorithm tracks the time it takes for a server to respond to a request. The BIG-IP uses this metric to dynamically direct new connections to the pool member that currently provides the lowest latency. This is highly effective in environments where server performance varies due to heterogeneous hardware or fluctuating application loads.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Round Robin
Why it's wrong here
Round Robin simply cycles through the list of available pool members in sequential order. It does not consider the performance, load, or response time of the servers. It is a static algorithm that assumes all servers have equal capacity, which is rarely true in complex production environments.
- ✗
Least Connections
Why it's wrong here
Least Connections selects the server with the lowest number of active connections. While it helps balance traffic based on connection counts, it does not measure the actual response time or processing speed of the backend servers, potentially leading to bottlenecks if one server is slower than others.
- ✓
Fastest
Why this is correct
The Fastest algorithm is specifically designed to route traffic to the pool member with the lowest observed response time. This ensures that users always receive responses from the most responsive server, optimizing the overall end-to-end application delivery performance in environments with variable server response times.
- ✗
Observed
Why it's wrong here
The Observed algorithm tracks the real-time performance of servers based on connection rates and response times. However, it is a weighted algorithm that builds a history, making it different from the pure 'Fastest' algorithm, which focuses strictly on the immediate round-trip response time metrics for selection.
About these practice questions
One of 119 original F5-CTS-LTM practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official F5 exam blueprint
This F5-CTS-LTM practice question is part of Courseiva's free F5 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the F5-CTS-LTM exam.